Published 3:15 pm, Saturday, February 5, 2011

For the past 14 years, Pam Johnson has been making her own skincare products by designing and manufacturing them around town.

Eight months ago, she decided to take a chance and venture out with her business by opening Blessed Indulgence in a shopping center next to Jason's Deli off Loop 250 and Garfield Street.

Since, she said she has become the only African-American business owner now north of Big Spring Street and Cuthbert Avenue. And that's something she'd like to see change.

"I'd love to see more African-American businesses. I want to see them take a chance and come this way. The world is our oyster," she said. "We just have to trust God, have faith and step out."

Johnson will be one of 40 vendors showcasing their talents and wares Saturday at the first annual Black Pearl Expo at the Midland Center. Businesses will come from across the Permian Basin including several from Odessa and even Abilene, said expo coordinator Audrey White.

"We're just doing it to show people we have a voice in the community. A lot of people don't know that we exist our here and we're just doing it to show what we have to offer," White said.

Moving into her new space has been a struggle financially, Johnson said, and she has had many people come into her store who are surprised that "a woman of color has a boutique on this side of town."

Still, she's working to give her customers and those in Midland a different plethora of unique items to choose from and have about 10 crafters that hand-make items she sells in her store.

Many of the crafters make items on the side and never talk about their business or hobby. She's looking to give them a chance to explore their creativity.

There are a few African-American owned businesses around the Tall City, and Johnson thinks, that with the expo this upcoming weekend, many will be able to get their names out and make their business known.

"I'm excited that the Permian Basin gets a chance to see minorities of color display their wares. I think they're unaware of the hidden talents in their city," she said.

Jamie Bowers, who owns Like No Other at Lamesa Road and Nobles Avenue, said she'll also be participating in the expo and that she thinks it will be an eye-opener for everyone. It's something she believes will benefit Midland.

"I want to get my business across to all cultures," she said.

Bowers said she started selling purses a little more than two years ago, then expanded her shop to include shoes as well and it's been slow and steady building her business over the past year-and-a-half.

"I always wanted to own my own business. My dad owns his and I always looked up to my dad, but I wanted to do something and I'm all about fashion," she said.

Midland City Councilwoman Vicki Hailey said there are probably more businesses in Midland that people aren't aware of; it's one of the main reasons volunteers are wanting to have the expo and to get the word out.

"It's to show the strength, the diversity and the culture that we have here in Midland and the surrounding West Texas area," she said. "It's to heighten the awareness of various businesses that we have."

White has been planning the event since October and, hopefully, she looks to host it annually at the Midland County Horseshoe to provide more room and space.

Her vision is also to get Lubbock involved next year with the program and be able to have at least 100 vendors on display.

Each June, she publishes a Black Pearl directory of African-American businesses in the Basin and said that in the most recent directory, there were about 55 businesses.

"Yes, they're growing here. People just don't know we're here. A lot of people just don't know that we exist," she said.

Last November, one of the businesses that advertises with her directory, Sweet Soul, wasn't getting enough support from the community and had to shut its doors.

"It's a sad thing when one of our businesses has to close," White said.

That's another reason she's hoping many will come out and participate in the free expo -- to learn of the various businesses in town that they can support to keep others from closing.

"I really think that they're going to expand and that we can show everybody that we can do this. That all of our businesses will be able to stay open and expand even more," she said.

Audrie Palmer can be reached at apalmer@mrt.com.

A list of events, released thus far, taking place in Midland and Odessa to celebrate Black History Month in February:

What: Basin PBS will present and screen "Freedom Riders," a Stanley Nelson film and documentary. It will air on Basin PBS in May and tells the story of 400 civil rights activists who in 1961 deliberately violated Jim Crow laws and traveled together on buses through the Deep South.

What: Free event where more than 40 businesses will be showcased and guest speaker writer Jo Ann Johnson of Colleyville will speak at noon. A Sweetheart Scholarship Ball and Fashion Show, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight. Pre-sale tickets are $20 singles and $35 for couples and $25 and $40 at the door.